Article for use with library book charging systems



J. DICKMAN June. 14, 1932.

ARTICLE FOR USE WITH LIBRARY BOOK CHARGING SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 17, 1928 Patented June 14 1932 warren star-as JOSEPH J. DIGKMAN, OF BROOKLYN,'1\TEW YORK ARTICLE FOR USE WITH LIBRARY BOOK CHARGING- SYSTEM$ Application filed August 17, 1928. Serial No. 300,292.

This invention relates to library book charging systems, and pertains more particularly to means for providing a date record which shall remain with the book at all times.

According to old methods 01 charging books which are borrowed from libraries, a slip of paper is ordinarily pasted upon the inside of one of the covers of the book, upon which, whenever the book is borrowed from the library, a notation is made, either of the date when the book is due to be returned, or of the date when it was withdrawn. When the book is returned, the librarian is enabled, by merely glancing at the slip, to ascertain whether or not the book was returned at the proper time. According to usual methods, this entry on the date slip is made by means of a rubber hand stamp.

Recently, however, a new system has been adopted by many libraries, which, in order to avoid the inaccuracy and frequent illegibility of rubber stamps, makes use of a dating machine employing metal slugs which make a clear-cut and accurate impression. The use of such machines, however, has necessitated a revision of the old method of making a date record in the book, for instead of the pasted slip of paper which has formerly been used, it is necessary to provide a card or paper which may be removed from the book, placed in the machine for dating, and then replaced in the book.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a date card and means for detachably holding the same in the book in such manner that the last date shall be easily legible at all times.

It is a further object to provide a card which can be dated on both sides thus making it economical in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the card and a pocket for holding the same at tached to a book.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the card as it appears when inserted in the pocket.

lgigure 3 is a View of one face of the card, an 7 Figure 4: is a section on the line 4.-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, the book 1 is provided with means for holding a card, such as a pocket 2, which for convenience may be made of paper and may be attached as by pasting, tothe inside of the front or back cover of the book. The pocket is so formed that its depth is not greater than one-half thedlength of the card with which it is to be use Y The card 3 may be of any suitable grade of paper, and of any desired dimensions, it being only necessary that the length of the card be not less than twice the depth of the pocket. For purposes of illustration, a card of greater length than width has been illustrated, but it is to be understood that cards of greater width than length may be used if desired, the shape and depth of the pocket being altered correspondingly.

The card is preferably divided transversely at its mid point by a heavy line 4: which may be printed or otherwise impressed thereon, the said line serving to divide the face of the card into two sections. The back of the card,

of course, may be similarly divided by a V transverse line, thus providing a total of four distinct spaces on the card; As will be observed, by inserting the card into the pocket in various diiferent positions, each of the four different sections of the card may be exposed, and the last date will be visible without removing the card from the book.

During the use of the card, each time the book is charged, a date notation is made in one of the sections of the card, and the card is inserted in the pocket in such manner that the last date entered shall be visible without removing the card from the pocket. Thus when the book is returned to the library, the librarian is enabled to see at a glance whether or not the book was returned on time. As soon as one of the sections of the card is filled with dates, another section may be used, and the card may then be inserted in such position that the dates of the second section are visible while the card is inserted in the pocket.

Ordinarily in placing dates upon the card,

the librarian will start at the top of each section and work down toward the transverse dividing line. If desired, longitudinal dividing lines 5 may also be provided to form two or more columns in each section, and if desired, additional transverse lines 6 may also be provided to form small spaces of a size to receive a single notation. Suitable indicia, such as directions for the use of the card, or any other printed matter, may be placed at the top of each section, and it has been found that the use of such indicia is helpful in indi eating to the user the proper position for the date notation.

It is to be understood that the invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claim.

I claim as my invention:

The combination of a pocket member and a card removably positioned therein, said card being provided with a straight dividing line extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said card at the center thereof, said card also being provided with identification matter at each end normally positioned to be readable when the respective end is exposed, the dividing line and the identification matter defining spaces for notations and the outer wall of said pocket member having a straight edge extending across the same and substantially flush with said dividing line when the card is in normal position in said pocket member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 15th day of August, 1928.

JOSEPH J. DICKMAN. 

